Coat-support



'rnn STATES JO N T. s'rEvE s, or MANNING, WISCONSIN,

COAT-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,477, data June as, 1898. Ap li ation m d September 20,1s9'1. serinNo. 652,311. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- I

Be it known that 1, JOHN T. STEVENS, of Manning, in the county of Vernon and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coat-Supports and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to coat-supporters,

the object of the same being to provide a simple device for use in hallways of, private houses, hotels, or other public places by means of which an overcoat may be supported in proper position to be put on by the wearer and may be readily released afterward.

The invention consists of a pair of supportin g-clam ps located at suitable distances apart, both of which are adapted to fold inwardly out of the way, a spring connected to the movable jaw of the clamp for holding the same in close contact with the stationary jaw, and foot-operated mechanism connected to said movable jaw whereby it may be separated from the stationary jaw.

The invention also consistsin other details of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my device in its operative position. Fig. 2 is a similar view of-the same in its closed position. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing one of the clamps in side elevation.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

My improved device is made up of a frame 1, adapted to be secured to the wall, consisting of horizontal longitudinal bars 2 2 and vertical connecting-bars 3 3 at their outer ends. Hinged to the inner surface of each of the vertical bars 3 3 is a clamp at, comprising a stationary jaw 5, a curved brace 6, connected at its forward end to said stationary jaw, a

movable jaw 7, having an eye or loop 8 in its rear end, and a spring 9, secured to one side of the stationary jaw 5 at a point near its outer end, having 'a loop 10 at its rear end constituting a handle and an opening 11 therein adapted to receive apin 12, projecting outwardly from the outer edge of the upright bar The said pin is located within the recess 13, within which the said spring fits when former are adapted to fold inwardly out of the way when the device is not in use. When the same are folded outwardly to put them into operative position, the spring 9 fits within the recess 13, and the pin 12 projects through the opening 11 in said spring, holding the clamps firmly and securely at rightangles to the frame 1. Secured at its central point to the under side of the upper horizontal bar 2 is a spring 14, which is curved downwardly and upwardly from its central point, and is formed with eyes or loops 15 15 upon its outer ends. The free ends of said spring are connected through swivels 16 16 with the rear ends of the movable jaws 7 7. The said swivels are formed with hooks 17 18 upon their opposite ends, which fit, respectively, in the eyes 15 in the spring 14 and in the eyes 8 in the movable jaws 7.

Secured to the wall at a point beneath the framel is a foot lever or pedal 19, which is hinged thereto and normally held in its raised position by means of a gravity-pawl 20, which engages the free end of said lever. Connected to said lever and leading upwardly therefrom are cords or wires 21, which are attached at their upper ends, respectively, to the eyes 8 in the movable jaws 7 As thus constructed it is thought that the operation of my device will be readily understood. Briefly stated, however, it is, as follows: The parts being in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawingsthat is, with the clamps 4: a folded inwardly and the foot-lever 19 folded upwardly against the side of the wall-4t is merely necessary in order to throw the parts into operative position to release the foot-lever 19 by raising the it pawl or dog 20 and throwing the clamps 4: 4 outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The saidclamps are held in this position by the engagement of the pin 12 with the opening 11 in the spring 9. w Thefootlever 19 is then depressed, drawing downwardly the rear endof the movable jaws 7 against the action of the spring 14, which is connected thereto, opening the jaws of the clamps. The coat is then inserted between said jaws, with the inside of said coat toward the front, the foot-lever released, and the coat will be supported by the clamps. The arms are then inserted through the armholes of the coat, and when properly in place the coat is released by depressing the foot-lever 19 with the heel of the foot, opening the clamps and permitting the removal of the coat therefrom.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A coatsupporter, comprising a pair of clamps adapted to be folded inwardly out of the" way, a spring connected to the movable jaws of said clamps for holding them normally in closed position, and foot-operated mechanism for opening said clamps.

2. In a coat-supporter,the combination with a frame adapted to be secured to the wall, of a pair of clamps hinged to the upright bars of said frame and adapted to fold inwardly, means for holding said clamps in their outward operative position, a spring secured to one of the longitudinal bars of said frame, con nections between said spring and the movable jaws of said clamps for holding the latter normally in closed position, and foot-operated mechanism for opening said clamps, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a coat-supporter, the combination with a frame adapted to be secured to the wall, of a pair of clamps pivoted to the upright barsof said frame and adapted to fold inwardly, each of said clamps comprising a stationary jaw, a

bracing-bar, a spring attached to the stationary jaw at a point adjacent to its outerend and having an-opening in its rear end to receive a pin on the outer surface of said upright bar,

and a movable jaw pivoted to said stationary jaw, a retractile spring secured at a point in,-

termediate of its ends to the upper horizontal bar of said frame, connections between the outer ends of said retractile spring and the i rear end of said movable jaw, and means for described.

operating said movable jaw for opening the clamps, substantially as and for the purpose 4. In a coat-supporter,the combination with a frame adapted to be secured to the wall, of a 5 pair of clamps pivoted to the upright bars of said frame and adapted to fold inwardly, each of said clamps comprising a stationary jaw, a

bracing-bar connected to said stationary jaw,

a spring attached to said stationary jaw extending rearwardly therefrom, having an i opening in it adapted to receive a pin on the l side of the upright bar of said frame, fitting ends, swivels having hooks upon their ends fitting respectively in the eyes on said retractile spring and on said movable jaw, a footlever, and cords connecting said foot-lever with the rear end of said movable jaw, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the" presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN T. STEVENS,

Witnesses N. H. BURGoR, J. TURNER. 

